by Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA TODAY

by Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA TODAY

American cardinals in Rome for the lead-up to voting for the next pope are shutting off interviews now that some cardinals have been blabbing too much about secret discussions in advance of the super-secret conclave.

The daily news conference by U.S. leaders prompted concerns that they were influencing the advisory meetings, now underway. Wednesday, the day after the Associated Press reported this, the briefings were canceled.

In describing the scene Tuesday, the Associated Press reported that more than 100 journalists from the U.S., Britain and European countries packed "an auditorium for what has become the daily 'American Show' at the North American College, the U.S. seminary just up the hill from the Vatican."

However, the quotable U.S. prelates may not have been the source of leaks. The Italian paper La Stampa has reported details of comments individual cardinals made in the closed-door meetings-- a violation of their oath of secrecy, according to the Associated Press.

Sister Mary Ann Walsh, spokeswoman for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in an e-mail to USA TODAY that, "concern was expressed" in the daily meetings of the College of Cardinals "about leaks of confidential proceedings reported in Italian newspapers. As a precaution, the cardinals have agreed not to do interviews."

Walsh later told the AP: "I don't think anyone was angry at the Americans, they were angry at La Stampa." And she said, "In true old-style Catholic school teacher fashion, someone talks and everybody stays after school."

Vatican spokesman Rev. Frederico Lombardi said the Vatican did not intervene but that U.S. cardinals made the decision to stop press conferences after talking among themselves.

He said, "The cardinals journey toward conclave is not a convention or synod. It is a journey, that is above all a time of reflection for the College of Cardinals. The College has decided to maintain reserve over proceedings. But we are trying to give as much information as possible."

No date has been set for the conclave, where 115 cardinal electors will be cut off from any communications with the outside world.

At the morning Vatican press conference, Lombardi said there's no hidden meaning in the delay. They are waiting for two more electors -- cardinals under the age of 80 -- to reach Rome and they are in a "journey" of prayer and discernment, he said.

Meanwhile, representatives from the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) called a news conference in Rome to announce a "dirty dozen" names of cardinals whose record on dealing with the abuse crisis should disqualify them for being elected to the papacy.

The list includes many of the names on media and betting sites' short lists for the next pope. David Clohessy, SNAP executive director, said they had the worst records "in terms of protecting kids, healing victims, and exposing corruption."

SNAP has also called for several cardinals to refrain from voting in the conclave.

Lombardi said the Vatican is "well aware" of the positions of SNAP, but added it is not up to SNAP to decide who should participate in the conclave.